High Fructose Corn Syrup

I'm just astounded to find that High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is in canned kidney beans. Why?
Of course, HFCS is in ketchup. Knew that. Hot dogs (I know, horrible "food", but still!!!), some breads, chocolate syrup, cereals. The list could go on and on.

I read a few weeks ago that sugar can be metabolized by many cells in your body. HFCS, on the other hand, can only be metabolized by the liver. Our poor livers are so overburdened trying to keep our blood clean. Pesticides, drugs (legal and not), alcohol, xenoestrogens, etc... are overloading our systems.

Is it any wonder that such a percentage of America is obese and depressed?

We have to get back to living off of what we grow (organically). Just made peach jam yesterday. 9 pints of orange goodness that will cheer even the saddest of souls in February.

Putting up corn in a few days by freezing it. Yum!

Bees

We ordered bees from Michigan a few weeks ago. Received our wooden ware and supplies and are excited. I guess we will dive in and see how we do. Fortunately, my friend Tim has bees and can answer some questions. There is a really knowledgeable bee guy down the road who we buy our honey from. We need bees for our fruit trees, garden and herbs. I can always use the wax for my salves and soaps.

My Vitamix

OK. I'm not getting any promotional consideration from this, but I love my Vita mix. The thing is a super blender. Every day we make "milkshakes" for the kids with ice, milk and protein shake mix from YLEO. Add a little honey and voila a fab meal/snack. During canning time we use it constantly with tomatoes. If I want to "sneak" veggies into spaghetti sauce throw in carrots, zucchini, peppers, even squash and the young ones could care less. Pumpkin muffins are easy and quick. I steam a pumpkin with the seeds scooped out (save these for roasting seeds) until it is soft. Puree up in the V mix after it cools a bit. I freeze bags of these so that when we make pumpkin pancakes or muffins they are ready. Pesto...easy. Even powdered sugar by mixing granulated sugar with a bit of cornstarch. Yummy gratefulness.

Beeswax

I love Beeswax! Local honey is the best. We are getting bees this spring. My husband wants more produce and better produce. We love honey and consume at least 2 gallons per year.

My daughter and I wanted to make lipbalm yesterday. I searched high and low for my beeswax. All gone. I called my local bee guy and he had honey ready poured in muffin tin sizes. I got 31 little muffins of yummy beeswax. My kids grated up a storm. I can't wait to make wood polish and salves left and right.

I made an eczema lotion last week that is to die for. It isn't for sale on my website, yet, but we are sure enjoying testing it. I'm thinking of all of my hair stylist friends who constantly have their hands in water. This lotion made the water bead up for at least a few washings. That is with using soap, too!

I'm so tired of cold winter. Sunshine and spring come quickly. Thanks Buckeye Chuck for the show of support.

Citrus Vinegar

I found a recipe to put leftover citrus peels in white vinegar. I just filled a large, clean pickle jar with citrus "refuse" and then poured vinegar over it. After letting this sit for 3 days I have fabulous laundry rinse.

Because I use my own homemade laundry detergent I want to make sure that I get any residue out of my clothes. I searched the web to see if I could put it in my bleach dispenser.

I have heard of others who use a downy ball. I recycled mine after seeing it in the back of the shelf unused. I no longer need fabric softener - even without the vinegar. I wonder if it is the natural glycerine in my soaps/laundry detergent that keeps the clothes static free. HMMMM. Any comments would be welcome.